Exposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in enclosed ice arenas.

This article summarises the latest information on the adverse cardiorespiratory effects of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) in enclosed ice rinks. Sources of CO and NO(2) emissions are identified, current standards for these agents, as well as methods of controlling the emissions, dispersion, and evacuation of these toxic gases are presented. A detailed literature search involving 72 references in English and French from research conducted in North America and Europe was used. Material was from peer reviewed journals and other appropriate sources. Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) which are present in enclosed skating facilities, may exacerbate a pre-existing pathogenic condition in those people who spend considerable time in these environments. Considering the popularity of ice hockey, short track speed skating, and figure skating, and the hundreds of hours that a sensitive person may spend each year in these environments, it would seem appropriate to seek more definitive answers to this important health problem. From the findings and conclusions of the research reviewed in this paper, 10 recommendations are listed.

Acupuncture in human performance.

To this point in time, acupuncture has been used primarily as an analgesic, a therapeutic intervention that controls pain under pathological conditions. Although some of the mechanisms of acupuncture as it applies to pain relief have been studied, little is known of the positive and/or negative effects of this procedure on the physical performance parameters of healthy people, particularly highly trained athletes. After introducing acupuncture from historical and technique viewpoints, preliminary studies of the effects of acupuncture on strength, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, and sport performance are discussed, as well as concerns regarding the direction of research investigating the potential benefit and/ or adverse effects of this practice. Finally, an argument is put forward for the establishment of guidelines for the use of acupuncture in the sports community.

Modifications to the Standard Sit-and-Reach Flexibility Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To present several modifications of the standard sit-and-reach protocol. BACKGROUND: Many exercises designed to increase strength and aerobic capacity tend to decrease the flexibility of the erector spinae and hamstrings musculature. Less-than-ideal flexibility in these soft tissues may increase the risk of injury during training, competition, or activities of daily living. The most widely used measures of flexibility have been either the stand-and-reach or the sit-and-reach, but both are limited to a single measure. DESCRIPTION: Using the new multitest flexometer, we were able to take 6 flexibility measures beyond the stand-and-reach test: standard active sit-and-reach, standard passive sit-and-reach, modified active sit-and-reach with external rotators slackened, modified passive sit-and-reach with external rotators slackened, modified active sit-and-reach with the hamstrings, gastrocnemii, and external rotators slackened, and modified passive sit-and-reach with the hamstrings, gastrocnemii, and external rotators slackened. CLINICAL ADVANTAGES: This modified sit-and-reach protocol allows the indirect assessment of the influence of the 4 major muscle groups that affect sit-and-reach scores: erector spinae, hip rotators, hamstrings, and gastrocnemii.

Hemodynamics during a machine-aided flexibility protocol.

Heart rates and systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 15 subjects were measured before, during, and after a series of four proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) flexibility exercises. The protocol for the study involved the use of two new machines, one designed to increase flexibility of the erector spinae, the other the hamstrings. Each machine provided constant feedback of isometric force, angular displacements, time of contraction, repetitions, and other exercise variables. Each bout of exercise involved an isometric contraction of the lengthened agonist muscle group (12 sec) followed by a concentric contraction of its antagonist in order to place the body part in a more stretched position. Hemodynamic measurements were determined at both a perceived maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and at 50% MVIC. Significant increases in hemodynamic factors were observed when exercise measures were compared to pre- and postexercise (resting) values. Higher values, though not significantly so, were found at MVIC than at 50% MVIC on both machines. All values were well within the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine.

The etiology of paddler's shoulder.

Training methods used in competitive flatwater paddling often lead to a common pattern of soft tissue injuries that affect the upper limb. Of particular frequency is paddler's shoulder, a condition that can become chronic and may result in permanent damage. The authors suggest that the cumulative effect of poorly structured resistance training initiates the deteriorative process and together with the repetitiveness of on-water training results in the pathologies referred to as paddler's shoulder.